Maxima repair/maintenance costs

[NC125]

Hello:

I am thinking about buying a used Nissan Maxima and would like to know what the repair and maintenance costs are like in general, compared to other cars (like Honda or Toyota).

I am looking at a 1995 Maxima (117K mileage) or 1998 Maxima SE (118K mileage). Both are automatic transmissions.

Do all post 1995 Maximas have timing chains instead of belts, so I wouldn't need to change the chain in the 1998 model soon?
Modified by NC125 at 3:05 AM 4/20/2009

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yes, all '95 and newer Maximas have timing chains that should never need maintenance. 120k is still early in the lifespan of a Maxima. You can safely expect 200k out of one with basic maintenance. Take care of it and you'll likely see 250k and beyond. The weakest point is probably the automatic transmission but even there with regular basic maintenance you should be fine.

Maintenance costs for the Max should be right on part with your typical Hondas or Toyotas. They're generally pretty inexpensive to own and parts costs are about as good as they get. I have never owned an Accord so I can't speak from complete experience, but I doubt the Max is any more expensive to own.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I have a 95 and a 98 Maxima

I think the 98 is better built

[NC125]

How is the 1998 Maxima specifically better built than the 1995 model?

One question I have is choosing between them since they are similar in mileage and price (both around $3700-$4000). The 1995, however, has had only one owner, while the 1998 has had 4 owners and was a rental. Would this history make the 1998 model less attractive?

And in terms of repair costs, I've heard that Nissan tries to make their cars so that aftermarket parts are hard to get. Hence, repairs might cost more for these cars. Is this not true?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I like the 98 because the 95 has given me small AC problems. Otherwise they are pretty close to the same car.

I would go with the one owner car.

OEM Nissan parts are at least twice as high as generic (AutoZone etc)parts. I have had no trouble getting alternators, CV axles, plugs,coils, EGR valves from Nissan or an aftermarket store. I bought the water and air hoses OEM cause I thought they might fit better. I bought a newantenna for the radio OEM for both cars.

I dont think there is a "part conspiracy" going on necessarily, even thougheverybody knows the dealership jacks up everything too high.

I have noticed the brake pads from Nissan seem to fit my cars betterthan aftermarket

Never have changed the timing chains or water pumps on either car

I have noticed labor rates at the dealership were about twice as highas a privately owned shop.

Be sure to check the electrical systems on the cars as much as possible.Those kind of repairs can eat you alive.

[NC125]

Does the 1995 Maxima GLE use regular or premium unleaded gas?

Does it make a difference what grade gasoline that is used?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

The car has a high compression ratio (I think 10.5:1) so you needto use premium. Also it is what the manuf recommends.

[jltibbs]

Welcome to NICO!

I had a 95, so I may seem to be a little partial. From the outside looking in, I dislike the '4 owners, rental car' fact of the 98. Plus the 98 had the clear plastic headlights versus the glass of the 95. Both years have the same motor and trans. One thing you might look at is the first three of the VIN. JN1(made in Japan) or 1N4 (made in Smyrna, TN) is what you are looking for. If one has JN1 and the other 1N4, get whichever has the JN1. If they have neither, jump ship as the vehicle was probably made in Mexico. I don't recall the Max's being made there, but check anyways. I personally prefer the 95 over the 98 also because it's considered OBD I, even though it has an OBD II port. Thus, if you have emissions testing, you only have to pass the sniff test with the 95. With the 98 you would have to pass a code scan, so if your CEL is on, you can not pass emissions.

[jltibbs]

Oh yeah, use premium only. If not, the so called 'ghost code' (knock sensor) will become a real pain. Also stick with Shell, BP, or EXXON. None of that Kroger, Wal-Mart, Home Depot junk.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Its also interesting they have the same little probems;

1) Both radio antenna's broke2) Fuse box cover wont stay on (next to the driver)

Other;3) The 1998 radio is still great but the 95's has had it

[ABNRML4U]

Welcome to Nico dude! Take your time there are more Maxima's out there looking for a good home and a bed to sleep in

[NC125]

Welcome to NICO!

I had a 95, so I may seem to be a little partial. From the outside looking in, I dislike the '4 owners, rental car' fact of the 98. Plus the 98 had the clear plastic headlights versus the glass of the 95. Both years have the same motor and trans. One thing you might look at is the first three of the VIN. JN1(made in Japan) or 1N4 (made in Smyrna, TN) is what you are looking for. If one has JN1 and the other 1N4, get whichever has the JN1. If they have neither, jump ship as the vehicle was probably made in Mexico. I don't recall the Max's being made there, but check anyways. I personally prefer the 95 over the 98 also because it's considered OBD I, even though it has an OBD II port. Thus, if you have emissions testing, you only have to pass the sniff test with the 95. With the 98 you would have to pass a code scan, so if your CEL is on, you can not pass emissions.

So there is a difference in quality between an import like a Maxima made in Japan vs. one made in the USA?

I was reading a debate on Edmunds.com about whether there is a difference (in terms of Accords), and there didn't seem be a definitive answer.

Regarding the OBD, I had one mechanic tell me that 1996 and newer Maximas were preferable to the 1995 because of the OBD. And in fact, 1995 Maximas would be more expensive repair because of its OBD. Is this true?

And I have gotten a lot of different answers on the premium vs. regular gas question. I tried to locate a 1995 Maxima owner's manual for an answer but haven't find one so far.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

There was not a clean cutovoer from OBD1 to OBD2 even thoughAuto Zone and others will try to tell you that. Some car modelswere even OBD2 before 1995

My 1995 Nissan uses OBD2 technology/connectors even though the plug in is on the passenger side by the heater on the floor. In fact an OBD1 code scanner will not fit on a OBD2 connector. I have an Actron code reader myself which is OBD2 technology and have clearedcodes on my car and other peoples domestic and foriegn cars.

So when you go to Auto Zone and ask for a code reading, you needto show the guy where to plug in the OBD2 code reader.

Please run premium gas to save yourself headaches

[ABNRML4U]

Just do your best